This archive report was first published on 19 August 2021.
As the academic year begins, a notable trend has emerged: high school students are giving university a wide berth. According to recent statistics, approximately 14,000 students who excelled in high school have opted to pursue alternative paths, rather than enrolling in local, public universities.
While some have secured scholarships to study abroad, others have chosen to join private universities in the country or local tertiary colleges, which were previously seen as less prestigious. However, these students are well-schooled and aware that employers value practical, hands-on experience over prestige.
The snub has sent mainstream universities into a panic, but it should prompt serious soul-searching. What is the purpose of knowledge, and in whose service should it be deployed? The answer lies in the recent Mavoko cemetery land heist, where public officials, many of whom were university-educated, conspired to steal from the public.
The incident highlights the need for a shift in the way we view education. The youth are the future of this country, and 14,000 of them have a different attitude towards education. It may not be much, but it means a lot.
